List of USAF Strategic Missile Wings assigned to Strategic Air Command
Encyclopedia
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
as a result of the Berlin Blockade
Berlin Blockade
The Berlin Blockade was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War and the first resulting in casualties. During the multinational occupation of post-World War II Germany, the Soviet Union blocked the Western Allies' railway and road access to the sectors of Berlin under Allied...
produced sweeping changes in the United States' military establishment and society at large. For more than 40 years the nation prepared to fight a war that never came.
The development of Intercontinental ballistic missile
Intercontinental ballistic missile
An intercontinental ballistic missile is a ballistic missile with a long range typically designed for nuclear weapons delivery...
(ICBM) technology as an outgrowth of the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
V-2 rocket
V-2 rocket
The V-2 rocket , technical name Aggregat-4 , was a ballistic missile that was developed at the beginning of the Second World War in Germany, specifically targeted at London and later Antwerp. The liquid-propellant rocket was the world's first long-range combat-ballistic missile and first known...
technology developed by Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and the mating of Nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
technology developed by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
created an entire new method of warfare. Due to their great range and firepower, in an all-out nuclear war, land-based ICBMs would carry most of the destructive force, with long-range, nuclear-armed bombers and Submarine-launched ballistic missile
Submarine-launched ballistic missile
A submarine-launched ballistic missile is a ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead that can be launched from submarines. Modern variants usually deliver multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles each of which carries a warhead and allows a single launched missile to...
s having the remainder. These three components were collectivity referred to as the United States Nuclear triad
Nuclear triad
A nuclear triad refers to a nuclear arsenal which consists of three components, traditionally strategic bombers, ICBMs and SLBMs. The purpose of having a three-branched nuclear capability is to significantly reduce the possibility that an enemy could destroy all of a nation's nuclear forces in a...
.
The United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
(SAC) was the United States military command and control organization for two of the components of the triad during the Cold War, ICBMs and nuclear-armed bombers. Over a million men and women served in SAC, its forces on alert 24 hours a day, every day, with a mission to preserve the peace and deter any aggressor nation from attacking the United States and its allies.
This is a list of the three generations of ICBMs produced and operationally deployed by the United States during the Cold War, with a fourth generation ICBM being deployed in small numbers at the generally agreed end of the Cold War in 1991.
Note: The PGM-17 Thor
PGM-17 Thor
Thor was the first operational ballistic missile of the U.S. Air Force . Named after the Norse god of thunder, it was deployed in the United Kingdom between 1959 and September 1963 as an intermediate range ballistic missile with thermonuclear warheads. Thor was in height and in diameter. It was...
and PGM-19 Jupiter Medium-range ballistic missile
Medium-range ballistic missile
A medium-range ballistic missile , is a type of ballistic missile with medium range, this last classification depending on the standards of certain organizations. Within the U.S. Department of Defense, a medium range missile is defined by having a maximum range of between 1,000 and 3,000 km1...
s (MRBM), or the SM-62 Snark
SM-62 Snark
-External links:** Air Force Magazine article about a Snark that was test-fired and rumored to have been found in Brazil** detailed article on Snark and the USAF school to train personnel for it...
intercontinental cruise missile
Cruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
developed by the United States Air Force in the 1950s are not included on this list.
SM-65 Atlas
The First Generation SM-65 Atlas, first flown in 1957, was the United States' first successful ICBM. It was taken out of active service in 1965. Strategic Air CommandStrategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
deployed Atlas models D, E, and F.
As an emergency measure, in September 1959 the Air Force deployed three SM-65D Atlas missiles on open launch pads at Vandenberg AFB, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, under the operational control of the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron, 704th Strategic Missile Wing
704th Strategic Missile Wing
The 404th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. It is attached to Seventeenth Air Force [Air Forces Africa], stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
. Completely exposed to the elements, the three missiles were serviced by a gantry crane. One missile was on operational alert at all times. They remained on alert until 1 May 1964
Operational SM-65D Atlas
SM-65D Atlas
The SM-65D Atlas, or Atlas D, was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile. It first flew on April 14, 1959. Atlas D missiles were also used for orbital launches, both with upper stages and on their own as a stage-and-a-half vehicle....
missiles were deployed to the following units:
- 389th Strategic Missile Wing389th Strategic Missile WingThe 389th Strategic Missile Wing is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. Its last assignment was with the 13th Strategic Missile Division, being stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965...
- Francis E. Warren AFB, WyomingWyomingWyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
(2 September 1960-1 Jul 1964) - 564th Strategic Missile Squadron (6 missiles)
- 565th Strategic Missile Squadron565th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 565th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 389th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-World War II:...
(9 missiles)
- 385th Bombardment (later Strategic Aerospace) Wing385th Strategic Aerospace WingThe 385th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Mobility Command. It was last known to be stationed at Incirlik AB, Turkey...
- Offut AFB, NebraskaNebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
(30 March 1961-1 Oct 1964) - 549th Strategic Missile Squadron549th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 549th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 385th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska. It was inactivated on 15 December 1964.-World War II:...
(9 missiles)
Operational SM-65E Atlas
SM-65E Atlas
The SM-65E Atlas, or Atlas-E, was an operational variant of the Atlas missile. It first flew on 11 October 1960, and was deployed as an operational ICBM from September 1961 until April 1966. Following retirement as an ICBM, the Atlas-E, along with the Atlas-F, was refurbished for orbital launches...
missiles were deployed to the following units:
- 92nd Bombardment (later Strategic Aerospace) Wing
- Fairchild Air Force BaseFairchild Air Force BaseFairchild Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately southwest of Spokane, Washington.The host unit at Fairchild is the 92d Air Refueling Wing assigned to the Air Mobility Command's 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force...
, Washington (28 September 1961-17 February 1965) - 567th Strategic Missile Squadron567th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 567th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 92d Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
, (9 missiles)
- 40th Strategic Aerospace Wing
- Forbes AFB, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(10 October 1961-4 January 1965) - 548th Strategic Missile Squadron548th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 548th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 40th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas. It was inactivated on 1 September 1964-World War II:...
, (9 missiles)
- 389th Strategic Missile Wing389th Strategic Missile WingThe 389th Strategic Missile Wing is an inactive unit of the United States Air Force. Its last assignment was with the 13th Strategic Missile Division, being stationed at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965...
- Francis E. Warren AFB, WyomingWyomingWyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
(20 November 1961-4 January 1965) - 566th Strategic Missile Squadron566th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 566th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 389th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-World War II:...
(9 missiles)
Operational SM-65F Atlas
SM-65F Atlas
The SM-65F Atlas, or Atlas-F, was the final operational variant of the Atlas missile. It first flew on 8 August 1961, and was deployed as an operational ICBM between 1961 and 1966. Following retirement as an ICBM, the Atlas-F, along with the Atlas-E, was refurbished for orbital launches as the...
missiles were deployed to the following units:
- 310th Bombardment (later Strategic Aerospace) Wing
- Schilling AFB, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
(9 September 1962-1 February 1965) - 550th Strategic Missile Squadron550th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 550th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 310th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Shilling Air Force Base, Kansas. It was inactivated on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
(12 missiles)
- 98th Strategic Aerospace Wing
- Lincoln AFB, NebraskaNebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
(15 September 1962-10 March 1965) - 551st Strategic Missile Squadron551st Strategic Missile SquadronThe 551st Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 98th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska. It was inactivated on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
(12 missiles)
- 11th Bombardment (later Strategic Aerospace) Wing11th WingThe 11th Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Force District of Washington. It is stationed at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, Maryland. It is the host unit at Joint Base Andrews....
- Altus AFB, OklahomaOklahomaOklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
(9 October 1962-30 December 1964) - 577th Strategic Missile Squadron577th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 577th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 11th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965-World War II:...
(12 missiles)
- 96th Bombardment (later Strategic Aerospace) Wing96th Air Base WingThe 96th Air Base Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Combat Command Air Armament Center. It is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida...
- Dyess AFB, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(15 November 1962-1 December 1964) - 578th Strategic Missile Squadron578th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 578th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-World War II:...
(12 missiles)
- 6th Bombardment (later Strategic Aerospace) Wing6th Air Mobility WingThe United States Air Force's 6th Air Mobility Wing is the host wing for MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It is part of Air Mobility Command's Eighteenth Air Force....
- Walker AFB, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
(30 November 1962-5 January 1965) - 579th Strategic Missile Squadron579th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 579th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 6th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965-World War II:...
(12 missiles)
- 820th Air (later Strategic Aerospace) Division820th Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 820th Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Eighth Air Force, being stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York...
- Plattsburgh AFB, New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
(20 December 1962-12 March 1965) - 556th Strategic Missile Squadron556th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 556th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 820th Strategic Aerospace Division. It was inactivated at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
(12 missiles)
A modified version of the Atlas-D (Atlas LV-3B
Atlas LV-3B
The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a man-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. It was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of...
) was used in the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Project Mercury
Project Mercury
In January 1960 NASA awarded Western Electric Company a contract for the Mercury tracking network. The value of the contract was over $33 million. Also in January, McDonnell delivered the first production-type Mercury spacecraft, less than a year after award of the formal contract. On February 12,...
program and successfully launched four astronauts into space (1962–1963). A variant was also used in the Project Gemini
Project Gemini
Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program of NASA, the civilian space agency of the United States government. Project Gemini was conducted between projects Mercury and Apollo, with ten manned flights occurring in 1965 and 1966....
program (1966)
HGM-25A Titan I
The First Generation HGM-25A Titan I, first flown in 1959, the United States' first true multistage ICBM. It was taken out of active service in 1965.- 568th Strategic Missile Squadron568th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 568th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 462d Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Larson Air Force Base, Washington. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...
April 1961-March 1965
- Larson AFB, Washington
- 569th Strategic Missile Squadron569th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 569th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 9th Strategic Aerospace Wing, stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. It was inactivated on 1 April 1965.-History:...
June 1961-March 1965
- 569th Strategic Missile Squadron
- Mountain Home AFB, IdahoIdahoIdaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
- 724th Strategic Missile Squadron724th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 724th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 451st Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. It was inactivated on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
April 1961-June 1965
- 724th Strategic Missile Squadron
- Lowry AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- 725th Strategic Missile Squadron725th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 725th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 451st Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. It was inactivated on 25 June 1965.-World War II:...
April 1961-June 1965
- Lowry AFB, ColoradoColoradoColorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
- 850th Strategic Missile Squadron850th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 850th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 44th Missile Wing, based at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. It was inactivated on 25 March 1965.-History:...
June 1960-March 1965
- 850th Strategic Missile Squadron
- Ellsworth AFB, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
- 851st Strategic Missile Squadron851st Strategic Missile SquadronThe 851st Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 456th Strategic Missile Wing, based at Beale Air Force Base, California...
February 1961-March 1965
- 851st Strategic Missile Squadron
- Beale AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
LGM-25C Titan II
The Second Generation LGM-25C Titan II, first flown in 1961, was the successor to the Titan I, and carried a payload twice as heavy. It also used sortable propellants, which reduced the time to launch and permitted it to be launched from its silo. Titan II carried the largest single warhead of any American ICBM to date. It was taken out of active service in 1987.- 308th Strategic Missile Wing 1 April 1962-18 August 1987
- Little Rock AFB, ArkansasArkansasArkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
- 373d Strategic Missile Squadron373d Strategic Missile SquadronThe 373d Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, based at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. It was inactivated on August 18, 1987. -History:...
- 374th Strategic Missile Squadron374th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 374th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas...
- 381st Strategic Missile Wing 1 March 1962-8 August 1986
- McConnell AFB, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
- 532d Strategic Missile Squadron
- 533d Strategic Missile Squadron
- 390th Strategic Missile Wing390th Strategic Missile WingThe 390th Strategic Missile Wing was a United States Air Force Strategic Air Command organization. Its mission was to maintain and operationally control intercontinental ballistic missiles ....
1 January 1962-31 July 1984
- Davis-Monthan AFB, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
- 570th Strategic Missile Squadron570th Strategic Missile SquadronThe 570th Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 390th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 31 July 1984.-History:...
- 571st Strategic Missile Squadron571st Strategic Missile SquadronThe 571st Strategic Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 390th Strategic Missile Wing, stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It was inactivated on 31 July 1984.-History:...
A modified version of the Titan II (Titan II GLV
Titan II GLV
The Titan II GLV or Gemini-Titan was an American expendable launch system derived from the Titan II missile, which was used to launch twelve Gemini missions for NASA between 1964 and 1966...
) was used during the NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
Project Gemini
Project Gemini
Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program of NASA, the civilian space agency of the United States government. Project Gemini was conducted between projects Mercury and Apollo, with ten manned flights occurring in 1965 and 1966....
program with ten manned launches of spacecraft. (1965–1966).
LGM-30 MinutemanLGM-30 MinutemanThe LGM-30 Minuteman is a U.S. nuclear missile, a land-based intercontinental ballistic missile . As of 2010, the version LGM-30G Minuteman-III is the only land-based ICBM in service in the United States...
The Third Generation LGM-30 Minuteman, first flown in 1961 was developed to replace the hazards inherent in the caustic, volatile liquid-fuel systems of the Atlas and Titan ICBMS. It took 15 minutes to pump 249,000 pounds of propellant aboard the "quick firing" Atlas F. It was dangerous work. Four Atlas silos were destroyed when propellant-loading exercises went awry. Two Titan I silos also met a similar fate. The Minuteman had two innovations that gave it a long practical service life: a solid rocket booster, and a digital flight computer. This computer was one of the very first recognizably modern embedded systems. The solid rocket booster made the Minuteman faster to launch than other ICBMs, which used liquid fuels.Active
- 90th Strategic Missile (later Space, later Missile) Wing
- Francis E. Warren AFB, WyomingWyomingWyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
, (1 July 1963 – Present) - LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1964–1974
- LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1973–present
- 319th Missile Squadron319th Missile SquadronThe 319th Missile Squadron is the flagship squadron of the 90th Missile Wing based at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It operates 50 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles through five Missile Alert Facilities.-History:...
"Screaming Eagles" - 320th Missile Squadron320th Missile SquadronThe 320th Missile Squadron is part of the 90th Missile Wing based at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It operates LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles. Currently, the 320 MS is one of nine active United States ICBM squadrons.-History:Activated in spring 1942 as a B-26...
- 321st Missile Squadron321st Missile SquadronThe 321st Missile Squadron is part of the 90th Missile Wing based at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.-History:...
"Frontier Warriors" - 400th Missile Squadron400th Missile SquadronThe 400th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 90th Space Wing, based at F. E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, and inactivated on 19 September 2005.-History:...
(Converted to LGM-118A PeacekeeperLGM-118A PeacekeeperThe LGM-118A Peacekeeper, also known as the MX missile , was a land-based ICBM deployed by the United States starting in 1986. A total of 50 missiles were deployed. They have since been deactivated....
in 1987)
- 91st Strategic Missile (later Space, later Missile) Wing "Roughriders"
- Minot AFB, North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
(25 June 1968-Present) - LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1968-1972
- LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972-Present
- 740th Missile Squadron740th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 740th Missile Squadron is a missile operations squadron of the 91st Missile Wing, 91st Operations Group, located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Mission:...
"Vulgar Vultures" - 741st Missile Squadron741st Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 741st Missile Squadron is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit located at Minot AFB, North Dakota.-Mission:...
"Gravelhaulers" - 742d Missile Squadron742d Missile SquadronThe 742d Missile Squadron is part of the 91st Missile Wing based at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.-World War II:...
"Wolf Pack"
- 341st Strategic Missile (later Space, later Missile) Wing341st Missile WingThe United States Air Force's 341st Missile Wing is an intercontinental ballistic missile unit headquartered at Malmstrom AFB, Montana...
- Malmstrom AFB, MontanaMontanaMontana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
(15 July 1961 – Present) - LGM-30A Minuteman I 1962–1964
- LGM-30B Minuteman I 1964–1969
- LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1967-1996
- LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1975 (564 SMS); 1996 (10, 12, 490 SMS)-Present
- 10th Missile Squadron10th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 10th Missile Squadron is a unit located at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.-Heraldry:On an Air Force Blue disc, an Air Force Golden Yellow demi lion rampant, shaded Golden Brown, his tongue Red, emerging from a hole, Dark Brown, rimmed Red; fimbriated White five Red...
- 12th Missile Squadron12th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 12th Missile Squadron is a missile unit located at Malmstrom AFB, Montana.-Mission:The mission of the 341st Missile Wing is to keep America free and strong by providing combat-ready people and aerospace forces.-Heraldry:...
- 490th Missile Squadron490th Missile SquadronThe 490th Missile Squadron is part of the 341st Missile Wing based at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. It operates Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles.-History:...
- 564th Missile Squadron564th Missile SquadronThe 564th Missile Squadron was a unit of the United States Air Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. It was inactivated on 19 Aug 2008-Mission:...
(Inactivated 2008)
Historical
- 44th Strategic Missile (later Missile) Wing44th Missile WingThe 44th Missile Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Twentieth Air Force, being assigned to Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. It was deactivated on 4 July 1994....
"Black Hills Bandits"
- Ellsworth AFB, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
(24 November 1961 – 5 July 1994) - LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963–1973
- LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1971-1994
- 66th Missile Squadron66th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 66th Missile Squadron was a missile unit located at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 66th MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles.-History:Established in early 1941 as...
- 67th Missile Squadron67th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 67th Missile Squadron was a missile unit located at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 67th MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles.-History:Established in early 1941 as...
- 68th Missile Squadron68th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 68th Missile Squadron was a missile unit located at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 68th MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles.-History:Established in early 1941 as...
- Inactivated 1994 when Minuteman II phased out of inventory.
- 321st Strategic Missile (later Missile) Wing (later Group)321st Air Expeditionary WingThe 321st Air Expeditionary Wing is a provisional United States Air Force United States Air Forces Central unit. The unit was reestablished on 1 Nov 2008. The unit is a nexus of all Coalition Air Force Training Teams and the Iraqi Air Force....
- Grand Forks AFB, North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
(14 August 1964 - 30 September 1998) - LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1965-1973
- LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1972-1998
- 446th Missile Squadron446th Missile SquadronThe 446th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 321st Missile Group, stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. It was inactivated on 30 September 1998-History:...
- 447th Missile Squadron447th Missile SquadronThe 447th Missile Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last was assigned to the 321st Missile Group, stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. It was inactivated on 30 September 1998-History:...
- 448th Missile Squadron448th Missile SquadronThe 448th Missile Squadron is an inactive squadron in the United States Air Force. It was most recently assigned to the 321st Missile Group based at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota...
- Inactivated by BRAC 1995Base Realignment and ClosureBase Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
; missiles reassigned to 341st SMW.
- 351st Strategic Missile (later Missile) Wing351st Missile WingThe 351st Missile Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit, which was last based at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. Assigned to Strategic Air Command for most of its existence, the wing supported LGM-30F Minuteman ICBMs...
- Whiteman AFB, MissouriMissouriMissouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
(1 February 1963 - 31 July 1995) - LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1963-1967
- LGM-30F Minuteman II, 1966–1995
- 508th Missile Squadron508th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 508th Missile Squadron was a missile unit located at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 508 MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles.-History:Activated in late 1942 as a B-17...
- 509th Missile Squadron509th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 509th Missile Squadron was a missile unit located at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 509 MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles.-History:Activated in late 1942 as a B-17...
- 510th Missile Squadron510th Missile SquadronThe United States Air Force's 510th Missile Squadron was a missile unit located at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. After the end of the Cold War, and lessening of tensions with Russia, the 510 MS was deactivated along with its contingent of Minuteman II missiles...
- Inactivated 1995 when Minuteman II phased out of inventory.
- 455th Strategic Missile Wing
- Minot AFB, North DakotaNorth DakotaNorth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
(28 June 1962 - 25 June 1968) - LGM-30B Minuteman I, 1962-1968
- Replaced by the 91st Strategic Missile Wing in June 1968
Support
- 532d Training Squadron532d Training SquadronThe 532d Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 381st Training Group, stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.-Mission:...
- Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(Missile Maintenance: "the most important piece of the pie") - 392d Training Squadron392d Training SquadronThe United States Air Force's 392d Training Squadron is an intercontinental ballistic missile training unit at Vandenberg AFB, California...
- Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(Missile Initial Qualification Course) - 328th Weapons Squadron328th Weapons SquadronThe United States Air Force's 328th Weapons Squadron is an USAF Weapons School training unit located at Nellis AFB, Nevada.The squadron's origins trace back to the 328th Bombardment Squadron activated on 28 January 1942...
- Nellis AFB, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
(ICBM Weapons Instructor Course) - 526th ICBM Systems Wing — Hill Air Force BaseHill Air Force BaseHill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force Base located in northern Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and near the towns of Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, Sunset, and Layton. It is about north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air...
, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the... - 576th Flight Test Squadron576th Flight Test SquadronThe 576th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force direct reporting unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command...
— Vandenberg Air Force BaseVandenberg Air Force BaseVandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
— "Top Hand" - 625th Strategic Operations Squadron - Offutt AFB, NebraskaNebraskaNebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
- Strategic Nuclear Targeting
Today, all United States ICBMs are LGM-30G Minuteman IIIs. The Air Force planned to keep the missile in service until 2020, but it may be upgraded to stay in service until 2030.
LGM-118 Peacekeeper
The fourth-generation LGM-118 Peacekeeper initially known as the "MX missile" (for Missile-eXperimental), was a land-based ICBM deployed by the United States starting in 1986. A total of 50 missiles were deployed. They were withdrawn from operational service in the early 2000s, the last taken offline in 2005, primarily for budetary reasons. Armed with up to 10 re-entry vehicles each carrying a W-87 thermonuclear warhead, the Peacekeeper was the most powerful ICBM deployed by the United States.- 400th Strategic Missile (later Missile) Squadron, Francis E. Warren AFB, WyomingWyomingWyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
(1987–2005)